Jim,

After my warranty expires I will probably be looking at another avenue for repairs....but I am not in a large cosmopolitan area as you are so independent shops(that are any good ) are much harder to find
I moved to Columbus from Dallas Texas where there were 20 times more MB's on the road. In Dallas there were some great independents that knew the technology of the new cars...in Columbus I think all I would trust some of these guys with is the brakes....it really makes a difference as to how many MB owners are in your area as to the quality of service that you can expect
Taking that into consideration I would be very afraid to let any of the independents I have seen in my area even attempt an diagnostic/repair of an electronic component or an evap core

Warren
1992 300SD 115K
Columbus Ohio
turner@greif.com